LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter John F. Waldron upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 60 years of
dedicated service to the Port Henry Fire Department

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter John F.
Waldron upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 60 years of dedicated service to the Port Henry Fire Department;
and
WHEREAS, Due to a lack of manpower during World War II, the two fire
companies in Port Henry, New York, solicited high school students to
assist them in providing fire protection to the village and the
surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Answering the need of his community, John F. Waldron followed
in the footsteps of his father and joined the L.F. Sprague Hose Company
on September 9, 1948; and
WHEREAS, John F. Waldron served in the capacity of Junior Fireman
until his graduation from Port Henry High School in 1951, when he became
an active and official member of the L.F. Sprague Hose Company; and
WHEREAS, From 1951 until 1955, John F. Waldron served his country
proudly as a member of the United States Navy; upon his return to Port
Henry, he continued his dedicated service with the L.F. Sprague Hose
Company; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, the L.F. Sprague Hose Company and the G.R. Sherman
Hose Company combined forces and became known as the Port Henry Fire
Department in order to serve the community better; and
WHEREAS, During his 60 years with the Port Henry Fire Department, John
F. Waldron served in many leadership positions, including First Assist-
ant Chief for 19 years and Fire Chief from 1991 to 2003; and
WHEREAS, After being employed by Currier Motors, the Port Henry Oil
Corporation and the International Paper Company from the mid-1950s to
late 1960s, John F. Waldron was able to combine his love of the fire
service with a professional career when he joined the Department of
Defense Plattsburgh Air Force Base as a Firefighter in 1969; and
WHEREAS, John F. Waldron was quickly promoted to Station Chief at the
Plattsburgh Air Force Base and was promoted to Assistant Chief of Oper-
ations - Crash & Structural in 1972; he was appointed Assistant Chief of
Technical Services - Fire Prevention & Investigation in 1977, where he
served until his retirement in 1989; and
WHEREAS, A true citizen of the North Country, John F. Waldron believes
in giving back to the region he loves so much; he was a charter member
of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad and an active supporter of the
Moriah Central Booster Club for Athletes, as well as a member of Port
Henry Council 384 Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars Mine-
ville Post 5802 and American Legion Post 14 of Vergennes, Vermont; and
WHEREAS, With John F. Waldron throughout have been his wife, Peg, and
their four children, Tammy, Toni, John, Jr. and Jimmy, and 10 grandchil-
dren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice
in his many achievements; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; and

WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others
and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family
and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; John F.
Waldron is such a firefighter; and
WHEREAS, Throughout 60 years of devoted service, John F. Waldron hero-
ically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibil-
ities which define the task of fire protection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter John F. Waldron for 60 years of distinguished
service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John F. Waldron.